“We are not just consumers. We are makers of Things.”Dale Dougherty, creator of Maker Faire

Part science fair, part county fair, part interactive show-and-tell, and part something entirely new, Albuquerque Mini Maker Faire is a multi-generational gathering that brings together tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “Makers” come to the Albuquerque Mini Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned. Maker Faire features hands-on activities, learning opportunities and the chance for visitors to learn new skills such as soldering, sewing, rocket building and welding.

Typical maker activities include engineering-oriented pursuits such as electronics, robotics, 3-D printing, and the use of CNC tools, as well as more traditional activities such as metalworking, woodworking, textiles and the artisanal arts. Makers take a do-it-yourself approach to standardized hobbyist and engineering technologies, and encourage the re-use and modification of designs, materials, and techniques available in the public arena. Makers focus on learning, using and teaching these practical skills.

Adult $10, Kids $5, Senior Retired or Active Military $5

(Additionally, No Orientation this week, and while we will be there for unloading everything from Maker Faire, we probably won’t be up to a hacknight of projects).

There’s going to be all kinds of fun and interesting things for adults and kids of all ages: drone racing, model rockets, building and decorating the Go VanGo art car, propane flame effects, virtual and hands-on welding, interactive projects from Intel, learn to solder. Let your creativity, invention, and resourcefulness out to play!

Quelab will be there with 3D printers, a giant spirograph, a wood lathe, CNC machines, a solar hot air balloon, and too many other things to list. Look for the giant white tent on the North side of the museum.

Tickets $10 for adults and $5 for kids/seniors/military, at the door or online

This is a great chance to check out Quelab as well; we have added more tools and equipment since our grand opening, and of course we’ve been hacking more things as well. The latest arrival is our hackable smart fridge from ChillHub for participating in their Crate Hack event.

Well Albuquerque’s first Maker Faire(Technically by registration, its called a “Mini Maker Faire”) was pretty amazing. I knew full well it was not going to be of the epic proportions that the Big Grandaddy Maker Faires are, but as a start this one was very good!

Quelab was very busy throughout most of it, We ran areas where we helped huge numbers of people learn to solder(from the pretty young to the not so young!). And showed off the Zork Teletype, helped troubleshoot the squishy circuits. Showed off 3d printing, and let folks play our restored Asteroids classic video game. Not to mention, members also setup live action angry birds, (with the cutest hand made birds and pigs), button making, and much more!

And we Were just a part of it, There was a whole tent of Robotics, another for tent full of Creative ventures, Another full of Hands on Fiber arts and earrings and hand made stuff. and yet another full of Screen printing and textile arts! There were 2 stages!(one for makers presenting, and one for music and entertainment, A Cardboard Village. Alternative power vehicles, Food trucks, and the very exciting Trebuchet (flinging waterjugs 300yards or so)… and More

For anyone who met us and thinks they would love to become a part of what we are! Come on down to a Hacknight (pretty much they are just openhouse nights). If you didn’t get to learn to solder, we can help. If you have ideas or projects that too is what we are about enabling! And if you are already sold on the idea, please consider becoming a member! your memberships help us operate and grow!

And a huge Thank You to the Organizers, Other Volunteers, Makers, and attendees, you all helped make this great! And lets start making things for AmMF2013!